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Leadership Shuffles Close Out 2019

Left: Scott Sessa SVP of Business Development. Right: Jori Miller Sherer in the new role of President of Minnetonka.

December 18, 2019 • By Jennifer Ernst Beaudry

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Multiple firms will start 2020 under new leadership after a slate of changes at the top announced this week.

Decatur, TX-based footwear brand Twisted X has named Scott Sessa SVP of Business Development. Sessa served as president of Minnetonka Moccasin, where he was the first outside president in the family-run business’ history, for 13 years. Minnetonka announced that Jori Miller Sherer, most recently the brand’s VP of Business Development, would take over as President.

In his new role, Sessa will be responsible for creating and maintaining growth across the Twisted X, Black Star, Tamarindo and CellSole brands. He will assume his new position on Jan. 2, 2020.

“I have known Scott for most of his adult life and have seen him progress from a management trainee at Wolverine Worldwide, to becoming president of Minnetonka. The timing was perfect. We were in need of a leader that could propel our international expansion as well as accelerate our domestic growth, and Scott was ready for his next opportunity,” Twisted X CEO Prasad Reddy said in a statement.

“I look forward to this new chapter and am excited about the opportunity to strategically propel Twisted X Global Brands into the international market. My focus is on expansion and growth. I look forward to the exciting future ahead,” Sessa added.

Miller Sherer joined Minnetonka in 2019. As president, she will oversee global sales and marketing. She is the fourth generation of the Miller family to hold the president’s office for the 74-year-old firm.

“I’m thankful for Scott’s hard work and dedication to Minnetonka over the years and wish him the very best as he takes on a new challenge. I’m also very proud to have Jori in the role of President of Minnetonka. She has a deep knowledge and understanding of its heritage and what Minnetonka means to consumers. She is able to look to the brand’s future in an entirely new way that will ensure Minnetonka continues to grow and thrive for the next generation,” David Miller, CEO of Minnetonka, said in a statement.

Franklin, TN-based Mephisto Inc. will see the return of Rusty Hall effective Jan. 3. Hall, who served as president and CEO between 2010 and 2015, will be returning to the role. He most recently served as executive director of sales for Hush Puppies North America.

“We are excited to have Rusty return to lead our U.S. operations. His proven ability at delivering results along with his expert leadership, product development, brand management and operational skills will be extremely valuable as we take Mephisto into the next decade,” Frank Weber, president of Mephisto worldwide, said in a statement.

“I am thrilled to be returning to Mephisto USA,” Hall added. “I am excited about the future of our business as we evaluate and align our strategies to benefit our retail partners and continue to present a world class brand to the marketplace.”

It was also reported last week by Footwear News that Javan Bunch had stepped down as president of the Rockport Group. No successor has been named.